Skin Lesion~ Anyone seen this?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Starlit had a hard knot since late fall.  To me it was just the standard Lab knots that they all get.  I thought she was a little young ( 1 year old) to already be getting fatty tumors but thought nothing after that.   I noticed it changing a little and tried to get  a better look thinking it might be a tick or burr but in the end what I did was aggravate the lump.  (should have listened and left it alone)

Overnight the hard knot became a soft huge mass. From pea size to golf ball size.   We saw the vet and she took all her antibiotics.

It was hard to see under her coat, she clearly was uncomfortable so at the time~  just antibiotics.  There really wasn't much to see.

 

So I need a second ( or 50 more opinions) What do my DK friends think.  

She has lost all her hair around the area~~ way beyond where the wound was.   The surrounding skin is scaly.   The skin has a funny color.  Hard to describe and I certainly do not have a camera that will allow you the best view.   If you can see in close it is black shade around the hole.  Just tissue damage or something else?? 

 

What I am left with is a oozing hole.  Slow oozing but still........   I use Topical antibiotics now.  

Yeah, I know, go to the vet.  I did.  Okay.  But I want your opinion.  Ever seen this on a dog? Those of you in tick areas, does this look familiar?  Any ideas or is it just a bump gone bad? If your dog had a sebaceous cyst does this look familiar?

SCALY SKIN that goes way beyond the wound.   Also, where the heck is the hair?  It is all falling out

This is what I get out before I put the topical antibiotics on.  

UPDATE:

After that last day we saw 100% improvement.  It has healed over, still looks ugly but not active.  The scaling and hair loss is due to the fact that it killed or damage all the hair follicles around the area.  The scaling is going and there is pink skin only.  Raised area around the site is also gone and closed.   The day I posted this must have been the worst of the worst.  Figures!  I am really patient, it went on for a long time, finally post and..................  It gets better from then on.

COMMON is furry dogs, found in poodles, and expect more.  YES, we have several more going on.

As for that bald spot, well we can just glue some hair on for pictures if it does not grow back.  She has plenty.

 

[Carol Brand]

This looks like a Sebaceous Cyst.  They are pretty common in Poodles.  If you leave them alone (NO SQUEEZING!), they tend to resolve themselves.  Unfortunately, if you do mess with them, they can get infected very quickly.  As you have found out, they can become huge!

 

I know this from personal experience.  I tried to squeeze one out on my  Poodle and it literally got to be the size of a clementine orange.  Trying to pop them also seems to spread the infection inward and the cyst developed all these under skin channels that just made it worse.  We went through cycles where even with antibiotics my girl's cyst would get better and then flair up, get better.... flair up.   In the end, I elected to have surgery to remove the entire mass.  Because the vet had to get it all out, she has a 2+" scar.

 

So, if it isn't getting better after a while you might think about surgery.   As far as the new one goes DON'T TOUCH IT!  

 

A side note.   I don't love the scaling I'm seeing around the cyst.  Does your Doodle have this sort of scaling anywhere else along its topline from neck to tail?  Have you seen any hair loss or change of coat anywhere else?

 

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Carol-You win the prize.  Typically found in furry breeds, common in poodles. Nothing to worry about.  Sometimes they can get out of hand, like the one we just had.  Expect more.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thanks for the update Joanne, I guess this is a good lesson for all of us.

[Kate C Pappas]

I've never seen this but it looks serious enough to warrant another opinion. I'm surprised your vet didn't aspirate it. You might want to see a canine dermatologist too.

Please post follow ups and I hope it's nothing too bad.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

What's the word Joanne???

[Brittany&Sami]

I'm so glad every thing is okay!! :D

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad the mystery appears solved and hoping the lesion is nearly healed.

[BG and Gavin]

Glad it is not serious.  Heal quick dear Starlit!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm glad it is working out to be okay. Sorry you are facing more in the future.

[Kate C Pappas]

OMG! I'm glad that one got better. Did the vet say WHAT it was? And why you could expect more. Personally, I've never heard of this one. I've heard of cysts either removed or left alone. I'm sorry this happened and hope it isn't causing her discomfort.
IMHO, I would still contact a canine dermatologist or send a blood sample to Dr. Jean Dodds.
http://www.hemopet.org/

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The Vet said a Sebaceous Cyst.  COMMON in fury dogs.  Common in Poodle and Poodle types.  Many need surgically removed to get out the... can't think of the word.  Capsule maybe.  Can become very large, last a long time--or forever.  She has a few more that I will certainly NEVER touch or bother and I am not going to look for them ever again. LOL

Starlit is not bothered by it at all. She was fine until I bother her.   It bothered me more.  I highly recommend leaving them alone!

Thanks for checking on her though  :)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Phew, glad that's sorted.  You could 'fill in' the hairless bits with dye  or waterproof marker (only kidding BTW)